This working paper from the Cambridge Judge Business School, and written by ITRC-MISTRAL researchers, uses scenarios to test how different business strategies might perform over the long-term, with a focus on capacity expansion via 5G mobile telecommunications infrastructure.

Using the ITRC-MISTRAL modelling framework, the researchers quantified the uncertainty associated with future demand and supply for a hypothetical mobile network operator, using Britain as an example. They found that spectrum strategies required the least amount of capital expenditure and were capable of meeting baseline demand until approximately 2025, after which more spectrum capacity would be required. Alternatively, small cell deployments provided significant capacity but at considerable cost, and hence are likely only in the densest locations.